Remembering Veterans

Published 6:00 pm, Tuesday, November 11, 2003

In 1954 President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming Nov. 11th as Veteran's Day and called upon Americans everywhere to celebrate and honor those who have served our country.

On Tuesday afternoon, Hargrave High School did just that by showing there respect and honor during a Veterans' Day ceremony.

The ceremony was dedicated to the late Billy W. Martin, whom was the honored guest on stage last year on Veterans' Day.

His wife Lucille and daughter Lola were present and accepted the reef on behalf of his valiant service to the community and to the country.

"His key to happy life was being fair and honest," said Martin. "I love him and miss him dearly."

Martin joined the Marine Corps in March of 1942 and set to the Pacific fighting Japanese aggression.

"He served in the third battalion 21st regiment third marine division," said Martin. "He also made three separate invasions in Bougainville, Guam, and Iwo Jima."

Martin and his wife have lived in the Crosby area for over five decades.

Other veterans that attended were also honored and recognized in the ceremony. As the Hargrave Band performed the tunes from the Army, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and the Navy, each veteran was asked to stand as their song was being played. The Hargrave High School Choir also performed in the ceremony.

The Huffman JROTC sponsored an essay and an art contest to highlight the significance of Veteran's Day. The winner of the essay contest was Alex Clay. "After gaining a better understanding of my country, I stopped taking my freedom for granted," said Alex. "In the past I was never really patriotic. I didn't see why it was important and I never understood what my country had done for me. Now I can answer that question proudly. Just being in America has done a lot for me. I can go where I please, drive, vote, own a house someday, work, have free education, say what I want without being thrown in jail or killed, have a family, have an assembly, and have an identity. I finally know what it means to be an American."

Alex plans to attend NYU and major in acting.

Stephen Myers Huffman ISD superintendent also spoke in the ceremony.

"It is through young people that we can sustain our beliefs and our love for freedom," he said. "We must keep intact the memories we have for the sacrifices made by all the veterans that have served this country. We have men and women in the service today that are in conflict throughout the world and we don't want to forget them. Today is a special day in which we honor these special veterans and our special guests that are here for all that they mean to us."

Myers also wanted to thank everyone including the Hargrave JROTC, band, and choir for performing in the ceremony and putting the whole event together.